July082015

“Awesome kick-in-the-nutts interview from the Zeit with french economist Piketty:

ZEIT: The German Minister of Finance, on the other hand, seems to believe that a Greek exit from the Eurozone could foster greater unity within Europe.

Piketty: If we start kicking states out, then the crisis of confidence in which the Eurozone finds itself today will only worsen. Financial markets will immediately turn on the next country. This would be the beginning of a long, drawn-out period of agony, in whose grasp we risk sacrificing Europe’s social model, its democracy, indeed its civilization on the altar of a conservative, irrational austerity policy.

ZEIT: Do you believe that we Germans aren’t generous enough?

Piketty: What are you talking about? Generous? Currently, Germany is profiting from Greece as it extends loans at comparatively high interest rates.

ZEIT: What solution would you suggest for this crisis?

Piketty: We need a conference on all of Europe’s debts, just like after World War II. A restructuring of all debt, not just in Greece but in several European countries, is inevitable...

Lawyers say the precedent it sets could trigger similar cases all around the world. Already, in Belgium, 8, 000 citizens are preparing for a similar court case,
with others pointing to another possible lawsuit in Norway. Although
the case is only binding within the Netherlands, lawyers say that it
will inspire lawyers and judges considering similar cases in many other
countries.

We know over 200,000 young women and girls have been
trafficked to work in cotton mills in Tamil Nadu, India. Recruited
under false promises through a scheme called Sumangali. They are promised a lump
sum payment after 3-5 years but often receive nothing. There is little or no
training or health and safety equipment. Their freedom is restricted, often
living in onsite hostels, and their contact with the outside world limited.

STOP THE TRAFFIK is campaigning to end trafficking through
this scheme and across the whole fashion supply chain.

June272015

Britain is one of just 19 countries that still recruit 16-year-olds to
the armed forces. A new report claims that younger recruits are more
likely to suffer from PTSD, alcohol problems and suicide than those who
join as adults. This video tells the story of David Buck who joined the
army at 17 but now feels he was conned by misleading recruitment
marketing.

Tureaud [...] worked as a bouncer. It was at this time that he created the persona of Mr. T.[11]
His wearing of gold neck chains and other jewelry was the result of
customers losing the items or leaving them behind at the night club
after a fight. A customer, who may have been banned from the club or
trying to avoid another confrontation, would not have to re-enter the
club if Mr. T wore their jewelry as he stood out front. When a customer
returned to claim the item, it was readily visible and available with no
further confrontation required. Along with controlling the violence as a
doorman, Tureaud was mainly hired to keep out drug dealers and users.[12]

"the gold chains are a symbol that reminds me of
my great African ancestors, who were brought
over here as slaves with iron chains on their
ankles, their wrists, their necks and sometimes
around their waists. I turned my chains into
gold...the fact I wear gold instead of iron
chains is because I am still a slave, only my
price tag is higher now. I am still bought and
sold by the powers that be in society, white
people, but this time they pay me on demand,
millions and millions of dollars for my
services."...

Three prisoners—Melvin Ray, James Pleasant and Robert Earl Council—who led work stoppages in Alabama prisons in January 2014 as part of the Free Alabama Movement have spent the last 18 months in solitary confinement. Authorities, unnerved by the protests that engulfed three prisons in the state, as well as by videos and pictures of abusive conditions smuggled out by the movement, say the men will remain in solitary confinement indefinitely.

"The kryptonite to fight the prison system, which is a $500 billion enterprise, is the work strike."